New Post today on The Mighty. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
Day 26 of the @theidsc #idsc2015 photo challenge (21 things)
#downsyndromeawareness #photchallenge #idsc2015 #dsawareness #downsyndromelove #tagsforlike
Saturday, October 24, 2015
He Hopes You Dance
It may have looked like
a Captain D’s to you, but what did it look like to Charley?
I never saw this coming…
We, Charley and me, had
Mom and Charley date night. That means Brad was busy, so Charley and I were on
our own. We bantered about where to eat and settled on fish. Ten minutes later
we found ourselves in Captain D’s.
“Hello, purty,” he said
to the girl behind the counter.
She was nice to him, but
didn’t encourage the attention. Said she’d bring our food to the table, so we
made our way to the dining area and got our drinks, sauces, lemon, flatware.
The essentials.
I don’t know about your
Captain D’s, but the one here in Knoxville down the street from us plays great
radio. Always something to bebop to.
So we sat there and
waited. And bebopped. And waited. And there she came, carrying our meals.
We ate a bit, and
bebopped. Yes, while eating.
The next thing I know
is, I was squirting lemon on my broccoli when Charley looks up and says, “Watch
my food, Mom.”
I glanced up. “Where are
you going?” I’m thinking the restroom. That’s what I get for thinking.
He checked with me one
last time. “Watch my food. Ok?”
“Okay.”
Up he stood, and headed
over to “Purty” girl. “Dance with me?” he asked.
“I’m not a good dancer,”
she said.
He held his hand out.
“Come on, Purty.”
She shook her head.
“Nope. Sorry.”
He turned to another
worker. “You dance with me?”
“I can’t,” she said.
“I’m working.”
He slapped his hands to
the sides of his legs and let out a big sigh, like, what does a guy have to
do to get a dance around here?
Believe me, as his Mom,
I wanted to intervene. I have a tendency to want to squash that spontaneous
part of him that might be considered inappropriate. Instead, I allowed him to
be himself.
The worker looked at me.
“It may look like a Captain D’s to you, but it looks like a dance floor to
him,” I said.
About that time the
manager came out from behind the counter.
“I have this dance?” he
said.
I was just sure she was
going to embarrass him. Instead, she said, with no hesitation, “Sure!”
And with that, they
twirled around the restaurant.
Like I said, it may look
like a Captain D’s to you, but what I saw was Captain DS. That stands for
Captain Down Syndrome.
Now before you think I’m
making fun of him, or being flippant about his Down syndrome. I assure you,
it’s quite the contrary.
Thanks to the manager, I
had the privilege of seeing a young man who looked a little taller on his way
out of the restaurant than when he entered. A man who quick-stepped his way to
the car. A young man who slid into the car seat, turned to me, and said,
“See?” Like, see Mom? If you just believe in yourself, if you
just hang in there, good things can and do happen.
He’s right. If you know
anything about people with Down syndrome, then you know they don’t give up. They
find a way. They live with a zest like every floor is a dance floor. And as far
as I’m concerned, it’s a great example for all of us.
What a fantastic
reminder of the wonder of that extra chromosome, to witness a dance in Captain
D’s during Down syndrome Awareness Month.
When I think of the
things I’ve learned from this supposedly challenged son of mine, I’m
humbled.
Dance then, you who are
glued to your seats. You who are locked away in the confines of your busy-ness.
When you least expect it, someone, somewhere, might ask you to dance. My hope
for you is that you take the hand of the one reaching out, and that you will
hear the music. With your whole heart.
And, yes, with your
feet.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Parents of Kids With Down Syndrome Share What They Wish You Knew
Nice Surprise this Morning to find out Charley is included in this article from the Huffington Post:
Parents-of-kids-with-down-syndrome-what-they-wish-you-knew
If the pictures of these individuals don't melt your heart, then don't blame me!
It's a great day to spread some Down Syndrome Awareness. Brad and I are so proud of our Charley...
Once again, here's the link:
Parents-of-kids-with-down-syndrome-what-they-wish-you-knew
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Something Awesome...Angels in Disguise
Day 20 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Something Awesome). #IDSC #Downsyndromeawareness
Perhaps you've heard about Angels in Disguise...They are the ones who create Down syndrome Awareness by doing so many good things. One of those good things is this great poster they created of Charley.
You can learn more about this fantastic organization and see more of their creations by clicking on this link: Angels In Disguise. You won't believe the precious photos. Believe me, their enthusiasm is contagious...
I can't think of a better way to celebrate (something awesome) than to celebrate Angels in Disguise today.
 |
| Thanks Angels in Disguise! |
Monday, October 19, 2015
Life With Charley Giveaway
 |
| Shout out to Pam Brooks and NFocus ... I love you my friends! |
So much to be grateful for today. When I look into Charley's eyes, I know I am more blessed than I deserve.
In celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and to honor Pam Brooks and our friends at NFocus Louisville, we are pleased to announce this giveaway.
If you haven't become acquainted yet with NFocus Louisville yet, why not check out this wonderful organization of givers who work tirelessly to make life better for others? Brad, Charley, and I are proud to call them our friends. You will be too.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Twinese King
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| Ming and King of the Twinese |
First reward: No Thomas Center.
In CharleyVerbiage, this stands for Sertoma Center. Not that he doesn't like the Sertoma Center, it's just that he likes the idea of not liking it. After all, what fun is it if you get to get out of something you like?
Reward number two: Van ride.
Usually Brad has the van. But when we take a road trip to the Dr. office which is located in Vonore, it takes us a little over an hour, so we take the better wheels. My car is fine, but it doesn't have the bells and whistles. For example, the doors don't slide open and shut by pushing a button. The trunk is a trunk, not a hatch, that opens and closes when you push a button. And let's face it, buttons rule.
Reward number three: CD King.
The first half hour of the trip is spent with Amy Grant. And me. Singing at the top of my lungs. No, I can't sing like her. No, I don't care. No, I don't feel sorry for anyone who puts their hands over their ears while I'm crooning. Unfortunately, there comes a time when even Amy Grant takes a back seat to High School Musical.
And since I'm driving that means someone else is in charge of the CD player, and according to Sir Charles of Palmer, that makes him King. High School Musical it is. Then Lion King (we'll keep that one), Tarzan (yep, that too), Cher (Believe), and of course, Annie (The original Soundtrack), and our all time favorite, Grease. He sings the Danny part. I sing the Sandy part.
"Mom, you sing-a-ling," he says.
I think he means ding-a-ling.
Once we've been through each and every favorite song on these CDs, we start all over again, minus Amy Grant, which I've packed back in it's jewel case and tucked back into my purse to keep sticky fingers from giving it a new home in the black hole of his bedroom, never to be seen from again.
Reward number three: Breakfast
On the run, of course. Because what fun is a road trip without coffee and hash brown crumbs all over your new jeans?
Reward number four: Lunch
After the better part of an hour arguing that No, we are NOT eating at that Chinese Restaurant he just can't get enough of. The conversation goes something like this:
Him: I hungry, Mom.
Me: You Just ate.
Him: I starving here.
Me: Where would you like to go? (Big mistake)
Him: Twinese
Me: We are NOT going to that Chinese restaurant and you know it. The food is loaded with carbs.
Him: Yes I are.
Me: Let's go get a salad.
Him: Twinese.
Me: No way.
Him: Yes way.
Long pause.
Me: Who died and left you King?
Him: Twinese King. That's me.
And so it goes. All the way from Vonore, through Maryville, the outskirts of Knoxville, down Merchants Rd., onto Broadway, through Fountain City, and into Halls. Salads everywhere. Panera to the left, Friday afternoon, no Sertoma, no Work, and here I am, stuck in the van with this dude.
In his defense though, there's a reason he likes this restaurant. First, he can eat as many plates of chinese "spaghetti" as he wants. Second, the owner, "Ming," calls Charley by name. "Cha-lee." They have become friends. And I must say, it is fun watching Ming and Charley banter back and forth. Charley will be eating, and Ming comes along and says something to him in Chinese. Then Charley tries to repeat it. "Chakalaka laka aka aha!" While some may think Charley is poking fun at the Chinese culture, I assure you, every time he attempts to speak Chinese it's a term of endearment.
And why not? People with Down syndrome are the epitomy of grace. Charley is a grace-filled man who believes in acceptance. No matter who, no matter what.
Ming gets this. He accepts Charley too. It's a wonderful thing to watch when two people from different walks of life open their hearts with no expectations.
Still, there are these things called Sesame Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, General Tsaos chicken, Soy sauce, and those cute little sugary donuts. Yum, Yum. And of course, Ming, who places himself beside Charley's already overloaded plate to say, "Mo skettie coming, Cha-lee."
Ming gets this. He accepts Charley too. It's a wonderful thing to watch when two people from different walks of life open their hearts with no expectations.
Still, there are these things called Sesame Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, General Tsaos chicken, Soy sauce, and those cute little sugary donuts. Yum, Yum. And of course, Ming, who places himself beside Charley's already overloaded plate to say, "Mo skettie coming, Cha-lee."
So little time, so much Twinese!
But that is then. And this is today. I'm behind the wheel, which means when it comes to restaurant selection, Mom rules.
I tell him NO. For the last time, NO. We are NOT doing Chinese.
He reaches into my purse, takes out the CD case, pops Amy Grant into the CD player, and turns up the volume.
"Sing, Mom."
And just like that, it's Good bye Lion King, hello Sing-a-ling.
And, Ming.
If I dare say, that's using the old Ramen Noodle.
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| Ming lights candles on Charley's birthday cake for his 25th birthday on Sept. 29th |
 |
| Getting ready to blow out the candles |
Friday, October 9, 2015
Life With Charley - Celebrates one year Birthday!
Please help us celebrate the one year birthday of Life With Charley: A Memoir of Down Syndrome Adoption!
Read all about it on today's guest post, right here! Blog Z
IDSC Down Syndrome Awareness Photo Challenge - Day 9 (Best Friend)
Day 9 of the @theidsc #idsc2015 photo challenge (best friend)
#downsyndromeawareness #photchallenge #idsc2015 #dsawareness#downsyndromelove #tagsforlike
Charley and Chris have been best friends since they attended Gibbs High School.
#IDSC Photo Challenge Day 8
Day 8 of the @theidsc #idsc2015 photo challenge (a favorite activity)
Charley is playing basketball at "Hoops for Hope" with the University of Tennessee Basketball Team and the Lady Vols. This is an activity he thoroughly enjoys once a year, sponsored by Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee (DSAG).
#downsyndromeawareness #photchallenge #idsc2015 #dsawareness#downsyndromelove #tagsforlikes
IDSC Challenge Day 7
Life With Charley IDSC Photo Challenge Day 7 (yellow and blue selfie) #IDSC2015 #DSAwareness @theidsc (this picture was featured in the Times Square Buddy Walk billboard in NYC in 2012)
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
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